We are home from our trip to Disney and we are all exhausted from the fun. This is not a complaint - just an indication of our thankfulness for the ability to 'go' and 'do'. We were able to find a balance of activity and rest in the hectic chaos that is included in any "Disney" vacation. It was time spent together without the daily chores associated with 'home' (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.) It was time spent enjoying the excitement that the boys found in all of the attractions at the parks. It was for us a celebration of life.
Robert will begin another round of chemo this week and will have another MRI on (Wed.) April 8th. We will meet with the oncologist on that day. Thanks to everyone who sends us messages of support. Thanks to everyone who sends us good wishes and prayers. Our spirits are uplifted by the positive energy that surrounds us.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
My Condition - Glioblastoma Multiforme (or GBM)
I was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). This condition has four different grades (I - IV). My tumor is a grade IV GBM. This is the most aggressive GBM tumor. I have included a little section of The Essential Guide to BRAIN TUMORS below to describe the condition more completely.
Astrocytoma
An astrocytoma develops from star-shaped glial cells (astrocytes) that support nerve cells. These tumors can be located anywhere in the brain, but the most common location is in the frontal lobe. Astrocytomas are the most common primary CNS tumor.
The physician, usually the neurosurgeon or neurooncologist, will discuss the type and location of an astrocytoma. The pathologist will assign it a grade. Astrocytomas are generally classified as low or high grade. Low-grade astrocytomas (grades I and II) are slow growing. High-grade astrocytomas (grades III and IV) grow more quickly. The main tumor type is listed for each grade. There are additional tumor types in each of these grades.
The WHO classification divides astrocytomas into four grades:
- Grade I Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- Grade II Low-Grade Astrocytoma
- Grade III Anaplastic Astrocytoma
- Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme (or GBM)
Characteristics
The characteristics of an astrocytoma vary depending on the tumor’s grade and location. Most people are functioning normally when diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma. Symptoms tend to be subtle and may take one to two years to diagnose. This is because the brain can often adapt to a slow-growing tumor for a period of time. Highgrade tumors may present with changes that are sudden and dramatic.
Symptoms
- Headaches
- Seizures or convulsions
- Difficulty thinking or speaking
- Behavioral or cognitive changes (related to thinking, reasoning, and memory)
- Weakness or paralysis in one part or one side of the body
- Loss of balance
- Vision changes
- Nausea or vomiting
1 comment:
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Best wishes,
Chitra
Post a Comment